Tragedy On Silverdale Road

Smoke

"You're so hot, baby."

Evan is literally the most annoying jackass in the world.

Antwon sets a plate of fries in front of me before turning to face Evan. "Don't you have a wife and kid? Beat it."

As security escorts the jackass away, he makes sure to make his exit dramatic. "We aren't together anymore, the divorce is almost final!"

The bartender scoffs and smirks down at me. "You really seem to sleep with all the scum on the scummiest part of Cleveland."

I munch on my fries. "What can I say, I'm a scum magnet." We laugh a little before he moves on to the only paying customer at the bar. Me-- I get a family discount.

Man after man find their way over to me, and time after time Twon scares them away. I love Antwon like a brother, he's helped me with so much it's ridiculous.

"Have you heard about that biker gang?" I turn my attention to my best friend.

"Yup."

He waits for me to continue, but of course I don't so he speaks. "They kicked Sebastian's gang out and are taking possession. I heard they're big, scary, and bald."

I snort. "Bald?"

He shrugs and lightly scrubs the bar top a damp wash rag. "Well some might be. I thought all gangs had bald guys."

"Not every gang has bald guys."

Twon chuckles and pours me another scotch on the rocks. "I wish you'd find yourself a guy. Bald or not, I don't care."

"We've been over this: I don't want a guy." I swish my drink around before downing it quickly. The ache in my heart becoming less and less with every sip. Sadness consumes me as I think about my future. What if I never get over this guy? What if I'm forever stuck with the life I have now, an almost alcoholic smoker? "But the real question is if I can light a shit?"

"Be my guest."

"Cool beans. Hand me one."

Twon reaches over and hands me a cig from the free cig jar and passes it to me. Using my goldfish lighter I light my shit with a smile. I love my goldfish lighter with everything in me.

The tavern doors open and it seems like the world stops spinning. At least a hundred men with matching leather jackets strut in, cocky smirks and all.

I spin back around to Twon, an astonished expression on my face. "They're all bald!"

➖✖➖

I dream about him every night. His blue eyes, his full lips, his big build, his tall height, his hairless head, his smile lines. I loved him. He was my world: my Bryson.

But seeing him with a leather jacket matching all the others makes my heart drop. A man speaks my ear off, but I can't listen to him pathetically try to get into my panties when Bryson's big arms are crossed and his muscles are bulging.

He's gotten bigger. And handsomer.

"Aye, welcome!" Twon greets the gang. "This is my tavern and bar, feel free to grab some tables and order."

"Is the pretty lady on the menu?" The snarky comment is followed by many husky laughs, even Antwon cracks a smile. I, however, scowl deeply. I down my drink, take a drag from my cig, and push the pathetic man away from me.

Without a word I drop a ten on the bar top, collect my things, and stalk out of the tavern.

➖✖➖

My thumb runs over the wrinkled ultrasound picture. I smile softly at the fading paper. I wonder what would have happened.

With a sigh I stuff the picture back into my wallet. Three firm knocks on the front door has me huffing. The knocking persists until I open the door, coming face to face with a bald headed man.

My eyes roll. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to introduce myself: I'm Jacob Wheeler, president of the 3-180 Class. You can call me Viper." He sticks his hand out, and hesitantly I place mine in his.

"Violet." He gives me three firm shakes before handing me a black paper.

"Well, Violet, I'd like to formally invite you to a 3-180 gathering." I shrug and go to shut the door but his steel toed shoe stops it. "A thank you would be nice."

I slam the door in his face.

➖✖➖

"I adore you." Evan plays with the ends of my long hair. I glare at him, but his grimey hands can't stay to himself. "I wish to marry you."

This stupid fucker is always telling me he loves me. If only he knew how broken I was. How lonely I am even in the presence of one hundred people.

So I push him off, but not before bumming his smoke, and walk off. I knew coming to this gathering was a stupid idea, what am I even doing around a gang? I may be fucked up but hanging around a gang is a whole different story. 

The smell of cooking meat and sweaty men fills my nose as I enter the great mansion these men call home. I find myself in the backyard where the real party is.

Barely dressed women prance around. I don't pay attention to much until a blonde girl taps on my shoulder. My eyes narrow in on the familiar girl.

"Do your parents know you're here?" The eighteen year old girl shakes her head.

She smirks down at me. "They're your parents too, ya know." Angelica Manchester is younger than me by seven years, not exactly the most prude girl around town. She's always been tall, everyone knew she'd out grow me.

I shrug and take a deep drag, already feeling the lightheaded feeling I love. "Fuck off."

She scampers away into the arms of some meat head and I sigh. I hope she doesn't end up as low as me.

"I always knew your sister would be hot."

My blood runs cold.

I flick my bud away and stalk off without even looking back.